The Jeita Grotto is a system of two
separate, but interconnected, karstic limestone caves spanning an overall
length of nearly 9 kilometres (5.6 mi). The caves are situated in the Nahr
al-Kalb valley within the locality of Jeita, 18 kilometres (11 mi) north of the
Lebanese capital Beirut. Though inhabited in prehistoric times, the lower cave
was not rediscovered until 1836 by Reverend William Thomson; it can only be
visited by boat since it channels an underground river that provides fresh
drinking water to more than a million Lebanese.
In 1958, Lebanese speleologists discovered
the upper galleries 60 metres (200 ft) above the lower cave which have been
accommodated with an access tunnel and a series of walkways to enable tourists
safe access without disturbing the natural landscape. The upper galleries house
the world's largest known stalactite. The galleries are composed of a series of
chambers the largest of which peaks at a height of 120 metres (390 ft).
Aside from being a Lebanese national symbol
and a top tourist destination, the Jeita grotto plays an important social, economic
and cultural role in the country. It was one of top 14 finalists in the New 7
Wonders of Nature competition.
The Jeita cave is situated at the center of
the western flanks of the Lebanon mountains, more specifically in the Nahr
al-Kalb valley, its natural entrance is about 100 metres (330 ft) above sea
level. It's located 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) east of the Mediterranean coastline
and 18 kilometres (11 mi) north of Beirut within the confines of the
municipality of Jeita, in the caza of Keserwan.
The Jeita grotto is located within the
Lower-Middle Jurassic strata of Keserouane which has a stratigraphic thickness
of 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) and consists of dolostone and micritic limestone. The Keserouane formation was exposed to air by
a local uplift during the Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous. The Keserouanestrata
became karstified after its aerial exposure and then was buried during the
Cretaceous. In the Neogene, upon the final uplift of Mount Lebanon, this early
karstification phase was reactivated.